Revisiting Houston and Memphis: The Background Histories Behind the Discovery of the Infestation by <I>Aedes albopictus</I> (Diptera: Culicidae) in the United States and Their Significance in the Contemporary Research

Abstract

The discovery of Aedes albopictus Skuse infestation in Texas in 1985 and subsequent global spread of this mosquito have spawned a large number of publications worldwide. The unique discovery in this episode was used tire trade as mechanism by which this exotic mosquito was introduced to the United States. While most researchers have focused their attention primarily on recent events and scientific progress, far fewer examined in depth early contributions made in the United States still very much relevant for contemporary discussion and other important subjects associated with its infestation. The first part of this review covers early background histories of research on Ae. albopictus in the institutions in the United States and of introduction of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti to the U.S. territories in the eastern Pacific as well as dengue outbreaks therein. The second part covers evolution of recognition of the importance of tire as breeding site of domesticated or peridomestic dengue vectors and of its transport in the dispersal of these mosquitoes. In the third part, the significance of vector-borne viral disease outbreak potential of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti in temperate regions and a variety of problems concerning vector spread and commercial practices learned in the past are reassessed in the context of contemporary research. I further identified as byproducts of this review two potentially important epidemiological mechanisms in the transmission of dengue in temperate regions, increasing tendency of indoor activity of Ae. albopictus and massive human movement associated with unpredictable political development.

Reported Distribution of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus in the United States, 1995-2016 (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…aegypti but has a much wider geographic distribution in the East, reaching as far north as Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and the New England coast. It is not clear whether this recent invader, which was introduced into the United States in 1985 and in several subsequent introductions (Moore et al 1988, Moore 1999, Kuno 2012, has yet to become established across the full geographical range within which it can persist or if it is still expanding its range. Although the climate in some newly invaded areas is conducive to reproduction and survival of this mosquito, in other areas, harsh winters may prevent survival of overwintering eggs into the spring.…”

When mothers anticipate: Effects of the prediapause stage on embryo development time and of maternal photoperiod on eggs of a temperate and a tropical strains of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…It was first introduced in tropical countries around the 18th century, in water-stock of migrants' ships, and a second wave of invasion is still ongoing in tropical areas (Delatte et al, 2011). The colonization of temperate areas began in the middle of the 20th century, through used tire traffic by ships from Asian subtropical areas (Kuno, 2012;Urbanelli et al, 2000). As it is an effective vector for many arboviruses (Gratz, 2004), this species represents a new public health threat for the US and Europe.…”

Life Histories and Other Biological Characteristics Enabling the Establishment of Aedes albopictus in the San Gabriel Valley, California

“…This is evidence of a skip oviposition behavior occurring in the local Ae. albopictus populations (Kuno 2012, Colton et al 2013.…”